Swimming ‘on track'

Bobby Savulich of the US conducting a swimming clinic to swimmers of the Race Club Fiji at the Suva Olympic Pool. Picture: ATU RASEA

TWO United States national swimming champions, Bobby Savulich and Laura Jackson say Fiji can become a force in the international swimming scene in a few years time.

The two were conducting clinics with the Race Club of Fiji yesterday at the Olympic Pool in Suva and said Fiji wss on the right track but still had a lot to learn.

Savulich, who is a World University Games gold medallist, two-time silver medallist at the Pan American Games, Short Course National champion, six time NCAA All American and 13 times Big Ten Champion, said there the sport was always evolving and the competitors also needed to evolve.

"There is a lot of knowledge that still needs to be learnt because swimming is becoming better and better," Savulich said.

"To get to the next level in the sport, you have to do the right thing and that is what we are teaching these children in these clinics." Jackson is the current US Open, NCAA and American record holder in the 50 yards freestyle.

She is also a 13 time All American, two-time individual NCAA champion, 2011 Pan American Champion and record holder and 2011 USA national champion.

She said swimmers needed to set goals and work along the pathways to achieve those goals.

"Swimmers here in Fiji have the talent, they just need the right guidance and coaching to become champions," Jackson said.

"With that in place, Fiji will become a force to reckon with in future international competitions," she said.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Jeff Robertson said the clinic was part of their program which was in its third year.

He said the program had progressed well and they would continue to bring in high profile athletes of different sport in the US to help with the development in Fiji.